LA Firefighters Deployed To Battle Tassajara Fire In Monterey County

At least one person has died in the Tassajara fire, just one of many burning across California.

A damage assessment team records property damage to a residence at Cachagua Rd and Tassajara Rd on the Tassajara Fire off Cachagua Road on September 21, 2015. The blaze was 30 percent contained Monday morning according to Cal Fire.

Firefighting crews spent Tuesday chopping trees and combing the terrain nearby to find embers and smoldering tree trunks before the winds picked up and potentially ignite another fire.

Carmel Valley – The thick column of smoke and the raging inferno of the Tassajara Fire on Saturday are gone, but a trail of destruction remains. Firefighters mopped up hot spots and strengthened fire lines designed to keep the fire from advancing, according to a news release from the agency. The 1,200-acre fire is 10 percent contained and authorities have announced a mandatory evacuation for the Parrot Ranch area.

On Monday evening, a man allegedly pushed and attempted to punch a firefighter who asked him to leave his home in the 37700 block of Tassajara Road because of safety concerns, sheriff’s officials said.

“I was out fighting the fire on the other end and then my whole place burned down”, he said.

Eaton said firefighters’ quick response to the blaze wasn’t enough to save some of the homes.

A helicopter drops water on a fire along Highway 68 east of…

County Office of Emergency Services Director Sherrie Collins said the hundreds affected by the fire are “not out of the woods yet” because of the looming “Godzilla of an El Niño” and the threat of flooding and mudslides that could further devastate the burned out area.

Cal Fire has confirmed that 1,050 structures have been destroyed in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties. About 6,500 homes remained threatened by the fire, considered the fourth worst fire in California history based on total structures burned.

On Monday afternoon, evacuation orders and advisories were lifted outside the fire perimeter, fire officials said, adding that people are still being told to not enter the fire perimeter.

Investigators said it was sparked by a loose chain dragging from a trailer. The agency also has pet food and other essential supplies available at Carmel Middle School for evacuees, rescued 54 animals located behind the fire lines and shared some pet-friendly lodging options in Monterey County for those ordered to evacuate.